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US-12617668-B2 - Apparatus for coupling pressurized water supply to recreational vehicle fresh water fill port

US12617668B2US 12617668 B2US12617668 B2US 12617668B2US-12617668-B2

Abstract

An apparatus for coupling a pressurized water supply to a recreational vehicle (RV) fresh water fill port is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing with a bayonet connector adapted to engage the RV fill port, a venturi tube within the housing for accelerating water flow, and a plurality of vent ports fluidly connected to the venturi tube for venting excess pressurized water. A deflection shroud extends from the housing to redirect vented water away from the user. The vent ports have a combined flow capacity greater than the maximum flow rate of the water supply, ensuring leak-free operation. The invention may include features such as radially positioned vent ports, a deflection shroud, UV-resistant polymer construction, a sealing gasket, and a textured deflection shroud surface. An alternative embodiment describes a coupling device for transferring pressurized water to a gravity-filled tank, incorporating a passive overpressure prevention system.

Inventors

  • Evan L. Julber

Assignees

  • Evan L. Julber

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20240915

Claims (8)

  1. 1 . A coupling device for transferring pressurized water from a hose to a gravity-filled tank, comprising: a. a connector body having: i. a hose-receiving portion with a fitting compatible with a standard garden hose or fresh water hose, ii. a tank-connecting portion with a releasable bayonet mount adapted to engage a fill port of the gravity-filled tank, iii. a main conduit fluidly connecting the hose-receiving portion to the tank-connecting portion; b. a passive overpressure prevention system integrated into the connector body, including: i. at least one vent aperture fluidly coupled to the main conduit, the vent apertures configured to open and release water when pressure in the main conduit exceeds a threshold, ii. a deflector extending from the connector body adjacent to the vent apertures, the deflector positioned to intercept and redirect water released from the vent apertures; and c. wherein the vent apertures have a total flow capacity exceeding a maximum flow deliverable by a garden hose attachable to the hose-receiving portion, such that the main conduit remains substantially unpressurized.
  2. 2 . The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the vent apertures are positioned radially around the main conduit.
  3. 3 . The coupling device of claim 2 , wherein the deflector is configured to direct released water downward and away from the bayonet mount.
  4. 4 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the connector body is constructed from a UV-resistant polymer material.
  5. 5 . The coupling device of claim 3 , further comprising a built-in lanyard hole for securing the coupling device during use.
  6. 6 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the main conduit has a venturi tube with a converging-diverging nozzle shape to accelerate water flow from the hose-receiving portion to the tank-connecting portion.
  7. 7 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the bayonet mount includes a sealing gasket to prevent leakage at the connection with the fill port of the gravity-filled tank.
  8. 8 . The coupling device of claim 3 , wherein the deflector has a textured outer surface to improve grip during attachment and removal of the coupling device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention The various aspects discussed herein relate to an apparatus for coupling a pressurized water supply to a recreational vehicle freshwater fill port. Description of Related Art Recreational vehicles (RVs) are equipped with fresh water tanks for storing potable water. These tanks are typically filled through a dedicated fill port accessible from the exterior of the RV. Conventional methods of filling RV fresh water tanks include holding a flowing garden hose to the fill port opening or using a commercially available valve with a small hose attached, which can be inserted into the fill port. However, there are problems with existing solutions for coupling pressurized water supplies, such as garden hoses, to RV fresh water fill ports. Adapters that allow direct connection of a pressurized hose to the fill port risk over-pressurizing the fresh water tank and associated plumbing, which are not designed to withstand significant pressure. This can lead to leaks, damage, and even flooding inside the RV. Additionally, many adapters suffer from leaks at the hose connection point, resulting in wasted water and an inconvenient, messy filling experience. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus for coupling a pressurized water supply to an RV fresh water fill port. Such an apparatus should provide an efficient, leak-free connection while protecting the RV fresh water system from over-pressurization. Furthermore, the apparatus should be easy to use, compatible with standard garden hose or fresh water hoses and RV fill port designs, and minimize the risk of water spillage or spraying onto the user during operation. The apparatus disclosed herein addresses these and other needs in the art by providing a novel coupling device with integrated overpressure protection and a user-friendly design. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention. The present invention relates to an apparatus for efficiently and safely coupling a pressurized water supply, such as a standard garden hose or fresh water hose, to a recreational vehicle (RV) fresh water fill port. The apparatus comprises a bayonet connector adapted to engage with flanges on the RV fill port, providing a secure and leak-free connection. A key aspect of the invention is the inclusion of a venturi tube within the connector housing. The venturi tube is shaped to accelerate water flow from the inlet to the outlet, enabling efficient filling of the RV fresh water tank. Importantly, the housing also incorporates a plurality of vent ports fluidly connected to the venturi tube. These vent ports are strategically sized and positioned to allow venting of excess pressurized water supplied by the garden hose, thereby preventing over-pressurization of the RV fresh water tank and associated plumbing. To enhance user safety and convenience, the apparatus further comprises a deflection shroud extending from the housing. The deflection shroud is positioned to redirect and decelerate water vented from the vent ports away from the user, minimizing the risk of splashing or spraying during operation. Advantageously, the vent ports have a combined flow capacity greater than the maximum flow rate suppliable by a typical garden hose. This design ensures that the venturi tube can channel water to the RV fresh water fill port without leakage under normal operating conditions, providing a clean and efficient filling experience. The invention may further include features such as radially positioned vent ports, an deflection shroud, UV-resistant polymer construction, a built-in lanyard hole for securing the apparatus, a converging-diverging venturi tube nozzle shape for optimized flow acceleration, a sealing gasket for leak prevention, and a textured deflection shroud surface for improved grip. In an alternative embodiment, the invention is described as a coupling device for transferring pressurized water from a hose to a gravity-filled tank. This embodiment includes a connector body with a hose-receiving portion, tank-connecting portion with a releasable bayonet mount, and a main conduit fluidly connecting the two portions. An integrated passive overpressure prevention system, comprising vent apertures and a deflector, ensures that the main conduit remains substantially unpressurized during operation. The apparatus of the present invention addresses the need for an improved coupling device that provides efficient, leak-free filling of RV fresh water tanks while protecting against over-pressurization. By incorporating novel features such as the venturi tube, vent ports, and deflection shroud, the invention solves problems associated